The Spring Champion Stakes will headline the day at Royal Randwick this Saturday.
Run over the 2000m journey, the feature event for the three-year-olds carries a purse of $2m and this year’s edition will see eleven runners vie for honours.
The last Group One of the Sydney Spring Carnival, it is often used as a lead in for the Victoria Derby and VRC Oaks as the Sydneysiders look to venture down to Melbourne if they can measure up here.
Ace High was the last runner to complete the Spring Champion Stakes / Victorian Derby double in 2017.
We’ve had a close look at each individual runner and our thoughts can be found below, (prices current at time of publish).
1. El Castello (8)
Price: $3.90
El Castello remains unbeaten in three outings this preparation as he’s continued to step up each time the bar has been raised.
The son of Castelvecchio has always shown plenty of natural talent and after placing on debut, Anthony Freedman had no qualms about throwing him straight in the deep end, where measured up.
He finished third in the Listed Fernhill but failed to handle the heavy conditions in the Champagne Stakes and was subsequently spelled.
He relished the rise to 1800m last start, powering home over the final 200m to put up a 1.4 length margin on them in the Gloaming Stakes.
Josh Parr partnered him on that occasion, he stays in the saddle and the rise to 2000m looks ideal.
2. Swiftfalcon (11)
Price: $3.50
Swiftfalcon just found himself with too much ground to make up in the Gloaming Stakes but there was plenty of merit in his run.
Settling well back with only two runners behind him he had nothing to cart him into the race but motored home over the final 300m to claim second.
He was brilliant in his previous start powering over the top of them late to take out the Dulcify in dominant fashion.
The rise in trip looks suitable but from the outside gate he won’t want to give them too much of a head start.
3. Henlein (1)
Price: $4.40
Henlein was never in contention last time when contesting the Gloaming Stakes.
Taken back to last, he was almost in a different postcode as the field strung out but was doing his best work late and the son of Dundeel is sure to relish the rise to 2000m.
He was the eye catcher at his prior start in the Stutt Stakes where he was set alight from the back, circling the field and powering home into second.
Only lightly raced having had the five starts, he’s performed well on each occasion and continues to improve.
The visors go on which should help to sharpen him up and the inside draw can see him settle within striking distance.
4. Firm Agreement (10)
Price: $16.00
Firm Agreement has just had the three race starts and looks a smart horse on the rise.
Narrowly beaten on debut, he proved too good next start in a Newcastle maiden and then stepped out in the Gloaming Stakes where he produced a solid effort to finish third.
Shooting through along the rail he looked a winning chance but just peaked on his run late.
He strips fitter and is still improving but the rise to 2000m is the big query for this son of Yes Yes Yes.
5. Duvana (4)
Price: $18.00
Duvana has shown ability, but his form reads very hit-and-miss.
He was unlucky on debut in the Pierro Plate but everything went right for him in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes at his following outing and he was solid through the line to hold third.
Sent the paddock after failing to figure in two subsequent starts, he returned in good order to break his maiden in fine style with a 4.5 length victory at Goulburn at his second run back.
Another that found himself too far off them in the Gloaming Stakes, he worked home okay but will need to improve significantly to turn the tables on them here.
Lacking that sharp turn of foot, I’d expect to see him settle closer from the good draw.
6. Due Calzini (3)
Price: $101.00
Due Calzini has finished in the top three in four of his eight starts but he’s yet to make an impact at stakes level.
The D’Argento gelding recorded his lone win in a 1500m maiden at Goulburn last prep before making the trip to Eagle Farm, where he failed to figure in the Listed Phoenix.
He too comes out of the Gloaming Stakes and whilst he was off the bit a long way from home, he picked up nicely over the final 150m.
The blinkers go back on and the rise to 2000m should suit but I can’t see him testing these.
7. Flying Argento (2)
Price: $126.00
Flying Argento is still eligible for a maiden and it’ll be a big ask for the Gary Portelli trained gelding at this point of his career.
Last start at his fifth raceday appearance he recorded his first minor placing, which was over the 2150m journey at Goulburn.
He’s fit, he’ll have no trouble at the distance but I’d prefer to see him in something easier.
8. Harlem Queen (7)
Price: $6.50
Harlem Queen comes off a very encouraging effort in the Flight Stakes behind the highly talented Lady Shenadoah and she looks a live chance here.
Spelled after her first two starts the daughter of Brutal has come back in fine order this campaign, recording back to back wins at the provincials before taking the leap to Group One level where she was strong through the line to finish a clear second.
The rise to 2000m is a slight query but the way she finishes off her races suggests it will suit.
9. Rag Queen (6)
Price: $16.00
Rag Queen was a bit plain in her first two runs back this preparation but she was much better last time when stepping up to 1800m in the Gloaming Stakes.
Settling midfield she tracked the eventual winner into the straight and sprinted strongly over the final 100m to finish fourth.
At her first two starts she showed a brilliant turn of foot but she does tend to hit a flat spot in the straight.
The blinkers go back on in an attempt to counteract that and if she runs up to her best, I wouldn’t be discounting her.
10. Pleasure Artist (5)
Price: $13.00
Pleasure Artist has just had the three race starts and looks a very smart filly on the rise.
A daughter of Trapeze Artist, she was doing her best work late on debut in a 1200m Maiden and with the step to 1400m at her following outing, she produced a very determined effort to get the job done.
Given five weeks between runs she stepped straight up to the mile, contesting the Dulcify, and was brilliant, powering home from the tail to finished second behind Swiftfalcon.
She gives every indication she’ll appreciate getting out over more ground and barrier five should see her settle a bit closer in the run.
11. Noises (9)
Price: $46.00
Noises has put together a tidy record in a short time.
Sent to the paddock after failing to figure on debut, the aptly named daughter of Microphone kicked off her campaign with a solid second placing before putting together back to back wins.
Given a four week freshen up, she dropped back to the mile last time and was strong through the line as the runner up in a BM72 at Warwick Farm.
This is a big step up in grade but the rise in trip should suit.
Selections
1st – Henlein
2nd – Swiftfalcon
3rd – El Castello
4th – Harlem Queen